ta-ing laboratory courses kristine stump ta training workshop august 2012
TRANSCRIPT
TA-ing Laboratory Courses
Kristine StumpTA Training Workshop
August 2012
Key Components for Lab TAs
• Preparation• Lab time• Grading
Preparation: Your Knowledge
• Know your material…well– Review readings– Discuss with professor– Attend class if necessary– Anticipate questions
• Know your procedures– Practice-run
Preparation: The Lesson
• Lesson Plans– Engage, explore, explain, extend,
evaluate– Allow enough time– Write specific procedures– Repetition, repetition, repetition…– Prepare well ahead of time (*MPO
uses real-time data, work may be last minute)
• Syllabus – Plan, write and distribute it early
S. Bignami 2011
Preparation: The Lab
• Laboratory setup– Inventory materials
early (2wks or earlier)
– Be organized, use labels, etc.
– Set up before students arrive
Lab Time: Expectations
• Clear Expectations– Clarify your lab role with the professor– Be explicit about the students’ roles in
lab– Provide details about lab schedule,
grading, etc.– Set make-up lab/test policies, etc.
Lab Time: Introduction and Activity• Introduction– Use various resources
and teaching methods– Engage students with
questions and excitement– Incorporate past material– Discuss rules/safety
procedures
• Activity– Walk the room– Don’t give answers– Stop and discuss to stay
together
Grading
• Be clear and explicit at the beginning!
• Use rubrics– Discuss with professor– Provide to students in advance
• Incorporate assessment regularly
• Give constructive feedback
• Take notes during lab to guide grading/testing later
Group Discussion
• What labs were your favorite and why? Least favorite?
• Which TAs were your favorite and why? Least favorite?
• What concerns do you have about teaching a lab?